Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS: The hematologic toxicity (leukothrombocytopenia) of interferon therapy is well known and frequently observed; it may vary, however, according to the type of interferon administered. METHODOLOGY: We retrospectively assessed 158 patients with chronic viral hepatitis treated for 6-12 months with alpha (recombinant, lymphoblastoid or leukocyte) or beta interferon to monitor leukothrombocytopenia. RESULTS: During treatment, a significant decrease in leukocyte and platelet counts was detected in 48% and 43% of patients, respectively. The maximum decrease (31% and 26% of pre-treatment values; p <0.01) occurred after 4.9 and 4.2 months of treatment. No patient showed clinical symptoms of leukopenia or thrombocytopenia. Beta-interferon yielded the smallest decreases in leukocyte and platelet counts (-21% and -16% of pre-treatment values, respectively). Among alpha interferons, the lymphoblastoid (9 MU/week) produced the largest decrease both in leukocyte (38%; p <0.05 vs any other type) and in platelet (32%) number. The same dose of leukocyte interferon had the smallest effect (leukocytes: -27%; platelets: -2%), while recombinant interferon showed intermediate toxicity (-32% and -26% respectively). CONCLUSIONS: From this retrospective study, the hematologic toxicity of α and α interferons usually emerges as mild. However, leukopenia and thrombocytopenia may be induced more frequently by some of these interferon types.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1748-1752 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Hepato-Gastroenterology |
| Volume | 45 |
| Issue number | 23 |
| Publication status | Published - 1998 |
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Keywords
- Chronic hepatitis
- Interferon
- Interferon α
- Leukopenia
- Thrombocytopenia
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Gastroenterology
Cite this
Leukocyte and platelet lowering by some interferon types during viral hepatitis treatment. / Toccaceli, Fabrizio; Rosati, Silvia; Scuderi, Massimiliano; Lacomi, Fabio; Picconi, Rattaele; Laghi, Vittorio; Grimaldi, Maria.
In: Hepato-Gastroenterology, Vol. 45, No. 23, 1998, p. 1748-1752.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Leukocyte and platelet lowering by some interferon types during viral hepatitis treatment
AU - Toccaceli, Fabrizio
AU - Rosati, Silvia
AU - Scuderi, Massimiliano
AU - Lacomi, Fabio
AU - Picconi, Rattaele
AU - Laghi, Vittorio
AU - Grimaldi, Maria
PY - 1998
Y1 - 1998
N2 - BACKGROUND/AIMS: The hematologic toxicity (leukothrombocytopenia) of interferon therapy is well known and frequently observed; it may vary, however, according to the type of interferon administered. METHODOLOGY: We retrospectively assessed 158 patients with chronic viral hepatitis treated for 6-12 months with alpha (recombinant, lymphoblastoid or leukocyte) or beta interferon to monitor leukothrombocytopenia. RESULTS: During treatment, a significant decrease in leukocyte and platelet counts was detected in 48% and 43% of patients, respectively. The maximum decrease (31% and 26% of pre-treatment values; p <0.01) occurred after 4.9 and 4.2 months of treatment. No patient showed clinical symptoms of leukopenia or thrombocytopenia. Beta-interferon yielded the smallest decreases in leukocyte and platelet counts (-21% and -16% of pre-treatment values, respectively). Among alpha interferons, the lymphoblastoid (9 MU/week) produced the largest decrease both in leukocyte (38%; p <0.05 vs any other type) and in platelet (32%) number. The same dose of leukocyte interferon had the smallest effect (leukocytes: -27%; platelets: -2%), while recombinant interferon showed intermediate toxicity (-32% and -26% respectively). CONCLUSIONS: From this retrospective study, the hematologic toxicity of α and α interferons usually emerges as mild. However, leukopenia and thrombocytopenia may be induced more frequently by some of these interferon types.
AB - BACKGROUND/AIMS: The hematologic toxicity (leukothrombocytopenia) of interferon therapy is well known and frequently observed; it may vary, however, according to the type of interferon administered. METHODOLOGY: We retrospectively assessed 158 patients with chronic viral hepatitis treated for 6-12 months with alpha (recombinant, lymphoblastoid or leukocyte) or beta interferon to monitor leukothrombocytopenia. RESULTS: During treatment, a significant decrease in leukocyte and platelet counts was detected in 48% and 43% of patients, respectively. The maximum decrease (31% and 26% of pre-treatment values; p <0.01) occurred after 4.9 and 4.2 months of treatment. No patient showed clinical symptoms of leukopenia or thrombocytopenia. Beta-interferon yielded the smallest decreases in leukocyte and platelet counts (-21% and -16% of pre-treatment values, respectively). Among alpha interferons, the lymphoblastoid (9 MU/week) produced the largest decrease both in leukocyte (38%; p <0.05 vs any other type) and in platelet (32%) number. The same dose of leukocyte interferon had the smallest effect (leukocytes: -27%; platelets: -2%), while recombinant interferon showed intermediate toxicity (-32% and -26% respectively). CONCLUSIONS: From this retrospective study, the hematologic toxicity of α and α interferons usually emerges as mild. However, leukopenia and thrombocytopenia may be induced more frequently by some of these interferon types.
KW - Chronic hepatitis
KW - Interferon
KW - Interferon α
KW - Leukopenia
KW - Thrombocytopenia
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0031767726&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0031767726&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
C2 - 9840140
AN - SCOPUS:0031767726
VL - 45
SP - 1748
EP - 1752
JO - Acta hepato-splenologica
JF - Acta hepato-splenologica
SN - 0172-6390
IS - 23
ER -